BURLINGTON, Vt. -- Federal law enforcement officials are calling a new program to crack down on the illegal possession of guns in Vermont crime control, not gun control.

Police said the goal of Project Safe Neighborhoods -- PSN -- is to get guns out of the hands of people who shouldn't have them in the first place. Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms agent David Campbell said lots of guns are moving in and out of Vermont quickly. He said the weapons are used almost like a form of currency.

"There is a major concern about people dealing drugs and using drugs being in the state, and coming into the state for the purpose of possessing firearms," Campbell said. "It's not an epidemic yet, like it would be in New York City or some other major urban areas, but it's something we're beginning to see and PSN will help to stem that tide."

"We have a tremendous history of responsible gun ownership in this state, but you know the saying, a few bad apples can spoil the barrel," said Vermont Attorney General William Sorrell.

Campbell said PSN focuses on anyone convicted of a felony, a misdemeanor for domestic violence or anyone with an active restraining order against them. He said the program would also help reduce the gun trafficking.

"We're not trying to take guns off the streets," Campbell said. "We're trying to take crime guns off the streets."